Fine Arts News

List of 10 items.

• Highlights from the Art Rooms, April 1-19, Clare Attwell Glassell Gallery

  After an amazing and successful Artist in Residence exhibition titled Grocery Stories, the St. John’s Visual Arts program has two remaining exhibits. The first exhibit is Highlights from the Art Rooms and will feature drawing, painting, printmaking, photography, and media arts from Lower, Middle, and Upper School art students. Work from the 7th grade art class will join 3D printed sculpture from the 8th grade media class, along with drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, and architecture projects from the Upper School art studios. The exhibit will run from April 1–19.

   

   

  (Pictured is painting"Shirley Temple" by Caroline Thompson ‘26.)
  
  
  

• Independent Study Project: Ukraine Immersive, April 29-May 17, Clare Attwell Glassell Gallery

  The second exhibit will highlight the work of Nhu Chu '24, culminating her year-long Independent Study Project. Nhu Chu will fill the gallery with an immersive installation using painting, sculpture, and sound to tell the past and present history of Ukraine that will depict stories she has collected from her Ukrainian piano teacher throughout the years. Nhu Chu’s exhibition will run from April 29–May 17.
  
  
  

• Middle and Upper School Band Spring Concert, April 2 at 7:00 p.m., Lowe Theater

  
  The concert will feature all five Middle School and Upper School band ensembles, including the MS Beginning Band, MS Intermediate Band, US Concert Band, US Symphonic Winds, and the US Jazz Ensemble. Enjoy a variety of traditional concert and jazz music including "Megawatt Rock" by Robert Sheldon, "The Magic of Harry Potter" by John Williams, "Paso Del Aguila" by Jorge L. Vargas, "Flamingo Road" by Steve Hodges, and "Hallelujah I Just Love Her So'" by Ray Charles. This concert promises to be a wonderful musical evening and a showcase of our tremendously talented students. Following the concert, join us for a reception in Stasney Hall as well as the opportunity to recognize our graduating senior band members for their amazing contributions over the years!

   

   

• ISAS Fine Arts Festival, April 11 - April 13, St. Andrews School, Austin, Texas

  

   

  This year, over 50 Upper School students from 2D, 3D, Photography, and Theatre will participate in this massive celebration of the arts. The 50-year festival is an annual program sponsored by the Independent School Association of the Southwest.

   

  The festival hosts 40 member schools, sharing over 20 art venues with over 20 hours of programming. The purpose is for students to perform and present their artwork for adjudication and to share, watch, and appreciate other students' work. St. John's rotates different ensembles and groups that participate annually.
  
  
  

• "A Celebration of Excellence" High School Choir Competition, April 15, South Main Baptist Church

  On Monday, April 15, Chorale will compete in American Classic’s "A Celebration of Excellence" high school choir competition at South Main Baptist Church in downtown Houston.  The day-long competition features a who’s-who of high school choir programs from Southeast Texas. St. John’s has participated in the event since its founding seven years ago. Each choir performs three selections for an audience and a three-judge panel. Critiques, scores, and ratings are assigned in UIL format and awards are presented. Kantorei and Les Chanteuses are past recipients of the Performance of Distinction award.

   

   

• Upper and Middle School Orchestra Concert, April 11 at 7:00 p.m., Lowe Theater

  The St. John’s orchestras have had a fabulous year! We were well represented in TMEA All-Region and All-State ensembles and in TPSMEA All-State Orchestra, and are looking forward to wrapping up the year with our Spring Orchestra concert on April 11 at 7:00 p.m in Lowe Theater. All of the Middle and Upper School orchestras, including Beginning Strings, will perform. Beginning Strings will perform two selections, including "Abstraction" by Tyler Arcari. Sinfonietta will play "String Swing" by Carold Nunez and "Rustic Dance" by Elliot Del Borgo. Camerata will perform two movements of "B-Suite for Strings" by Carrie Lane Gruselle.

   

  The Upper School Philharmonia will perform "Back at Home” by Bud Woodruff. Chamber Strings will then perform the Minuet from John Ireland’s "A Downland Suite" and Hoedown from "Rodeo" by Aaron Copland. To end the concert, all string players will combine for a performance of "A Festival Rondo" by Richard Meyer. This performance has special significance for Orchestra Director Penny Meitz as she will retire at the end of the school year. We look forward to showing you the wonderful accomplishments of the students in strings!
  
  
  

• Upper School Dance Concert: Road Trip USA!, April 26 at 7:00 p.m. & April 27 at 7:00 p.m. (along with Middle School), Lowe Theater

  Inspired by the thrill of the open road, a need to escape, and some of America’s greatest cities, this year’s concert theme Road Trip USA! will take audience goers on a cross country journey. From the hustle and bustle of New York City and the allure of Broadway, to the beaches of California, Chicago’s business district, New Orleans, and back home to our beloved state of Texas, our talented Middle and Upper School dance ensembles are excited to perform their works on stage. In addition to our dance faculty, guest choreographers Jesus Acosta, Sean Aaron Carmon, Dawn Dippel, Mike Esperanza, and Aaron Medina have produced beautiful concert works inspired by our theme. Middle and Upper School dance students will perform in a combined concert on April 27. Admission is free.  
  
  
  

• Spring Choral Concert, April 29 at 7:00 p.m., Lowe Theater

  The Spring Choral Concert will feature Cantatores, Boy Choir, Les Chanteuses, Chorale, and Kantorei. Aaron Hervey will accompany the choirs as they perform a wonderful variety of pieces by notable composers such as Matt Carlson, Nancy Hill Cobb, Coleman Peterson, Greg Jaspere, Z. Randall Stroope, Stephen Foster, Aidan Vass, and Norman Dello Joio. This concert features traditional choral repertoire, vocal jazz, a sea shanty, and folk songs from the U.S. and Canada. You won’t want to miss this fabulous concert. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free.
  
  

• Upper School Musical Something Rotten!: A Great Success

  
  

• Kantorei Sings in Salzburg, Vienna, and Budapest over Spring Break

  Pictured below is Kantorei following their very successful performance at St. Stephen's Basilica in Budapest, the largest, most historic cathedral in all of Hungary. The large audience of several hundred were transfixed by the program, which included music by Hungarian and Austrian composers, combined with music from American composers and American folk songs.